When Maya Zebib arrived in Abu Dhabi with her family in 2009 from the UK, the trained nursery teacher spotted a gap in the market for a Montessori nursery. And having received an honours degree in early childhood studies and a diploma in the Montessori method in the UK, she knew she was the right person to launch such a venture. So in 2013 she started preparations to open Children’s House Montessori. It took a year to adapt the new-build villa in Khalifa City A, near her home, using the services of an architect from New Zealand who designs Montessori nurseries. Then, Ms Zebib, 36, who is British-Lebanese, spent another year sourcing materials, such as tables, chairs, resources, and playground items from the UK and hiring her staff before opening for business in January with 30 children. Today it has 110 and is either full, or close to being full, in all three houses – baby Monties, the infant community, and the Little Montessorians.
6am
I have to wake early because I need to get my three children, Ibrahim, 15, Mohammed, 11 and Lara, five, ready for school – Lara especially needs me. The boys are independent now. It is just about getting them out of bed.
7.30am
I arrive at the nursery. Some children are at the nursery already and some are still to arrive. I make sure I see the parents, say good morning and meet and greet them. Then I switch on my computer and have a walk around the nursery. I have good staff and trust everything is OK, however, it is just nice to spend time with the children in their rooms. I always wanted to be a teacher and I love children. After I qualified I started [working at the Montessori nursery] where my son went and I became convinced Montessori is the best approach. It is child-centred and works around the child’s interest. The idea to start the nursery began when my friend, Reem, and I were talking about nurseries, what’s in the UK, my experience there, and what’s in Abu Dhabi. So it was really Reem who encouraged me. But I have investors. She is one of them, actually. It is a big project, so I need support and people who have done business here before.
10.15am
I return to my computer and reply to emails. Usually we have tours booked with new parents at that time, so I show people around. I used to be involved in all the day-to-day operations, but I have a new manager, Maddie, now and I oversee the overall management and any outside companies we deal with. We have a lot of contracts, such as a contract from King’s College [Hospital Clinics] for the nurse and we have doctors who visit us. We have a parent reporting system called My Montessori Child, which is owned by people in the UK and we have another management and accounting system for the office from the UK.
12pm
It’s the staff meeting for any issues the team would like to discuss. The biggest challenge setting up the business was to find the right staff, because the criteria was to have a Montessori diploma or Early Years qualification. We are working to receive the Montessori Centre International (MCI) accreditation. At the moment we are a staff training centre for them. (Staff have to have the MCI qualification] and two years’ experience. Other than that setting up was nice and smooth.
2.20pm
I leave to pick up Lara. Now Lara is in year one at school, so I fetch her at 2.30pm. I either drop her home or return to the nursery as she loves spending time here. I can work until 6pm or 7pm and on Fridays and Saturdays too sometimes. This project is my little baby and I enjoy seeing it growing day by day.
3.30pm
If I stay at home in the afternoon, I’ll have lunch with the kids and get Lara ready for her after-school activities. I’ll ask the boys about their homework, print out documents for them, then take them to their clubs. I also call my mum, who lives abroad, and my husband to chat about my day.
7pm
All the clubs are finished and we are all back home. My husband arrives, so it is dinner and book time for Lara, then bed.
9pm
I open my computer again when the house is calm and quiet. I usually develop plans and check up on a few things. I like to read what’s happening in the market and on the Montessori blogs.
11pm
When I go to bed I switch the lights off and sleep. I don’t read in bed.
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